Governor Gavin Newsome | Official website
Governor Gavin Newsome | Official website
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) today swore in 106 new law enforcement officers, marking a significant step towards the administration's goal of recruiting 1,000 new CHP officers from the state’s diverse communities. These newly graduated officers will be deployed to protect and serve communities across California.
Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his gratitude to the graduating class of 106 CHP officers who were sworn in and are being deployed across California. The swearing-in ceremony marked the culmination of an intensive 26-week training program at the West Sacramento CHP Academy, led by CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.
“I’m grateful to each new graduate because they inspire us and remind us all about the importance of public service and public safety. They are stepping into a career that will not only keep our diverse California families safe but also build relationships with communities across the Golden State,” said Governor Newsom.
The new officers will report to one of the 103 CHP Area offices throughout the state to begin serving Californians.
“These men and women have chosen to dedicate themselves to a career in public service. They have completed several months of rigorous training at the CHP Academy to prepare them to serve the people of California,” said Commissioner Duryee. “While this job is one of the most difficult things they will do in their entire life, it is also the most rewarding thing that they will do, and we are proud to have them as part of the CHP family.”
At the CHP Academy, cadet training begins with nobility in policing, leadership, professionalism and ethics, and cultural diversity. Cadets also receive instruction on mental illness response and crisis intervention techniques, among other core information related to their positions.
Since launching a multiyear recruitment campaign in June 2022, there has been a surge in interest for joining the ranks of CHP. In just four months into 2024, over 7,600 cadet applications were received, marking a more than 100% increase from the same period in 2022. To accommodate this surge, the CHP has been holding three Academy classes simultaneously for the first time in its history. The next CHP Academy graduation is scheduled for July 12, 2024.
The CHP is the largest public-facing state law enforcement agency in the United States with over 6,500 sworn officers assigned across California.
California has been investing resources and personnel since 2019 to fight crime, assist local governments in hiring more police, and improve public safety. In 2023, as part of California’s Real Public Safety Plan, the Governor announced an unprecedented investment to combat organized retail crime in state history, a yearly increase of 310% in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and enhance public safety.